Simple Protein Butter Chicken With Mac and Cheese – Quick Family Dinner

I still remember the first time I whipped up a creamy butter chicken mac and cheese after a long day in the kitchen. Inspired by my love for comforting, balanced meals, I wanted something quick, protein-packed, and family-friendly. This simple protein butter chicken with mac and cheese became an instant hit at the dinner table, combining cheesy pasta and tender butter chicken in one easy, customizable dish—perfect for busy weeknights.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re looking for a comforting, protein-packed dinner that the whole family will love, this simple protein butter chicken with mac and cheese is your go-to recipe. Creamy, cheesy, and bursting with butter chicken flavor, it combines tender chicken and cheesy pasta in one easy, one-pot meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, this butter chicken mac and cheese recipe is customizable, quick to prepare, and packed with protein, making it an ideal solution for a hearty, healthy, and satisfying dinner.

What makes this recipe even better is its versatility—you can turn it into a slow cooker butter chicken mac and cheese, a honey garlic chicken mac and cheese, or even a high-protein stealth health version for meal prep. The combination of creamy cheese, savory butter chicken, and protein-rich pasta delivers flavor and nutrition in every bite. Whether you’re cooking for your family, prepping meals ahead, or craving a delicious comfort food twist, this simple protein butter chicken with mac and cheese is guaranteed to become a weeknight favorite.

Ingredients for This Recipe

This simple protein butter chicken with mac and cheese relies on a careful balance of flavorful spices, tender protein, and creamy cheese to deliver the ultimate comfort meal. The chicken is seasoned with traditional butter chicken spices like garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and garlic, then simmered in a tomato and yogurt-based sauce to create rich, savory flavor. The mac and cheese portion uses a creamy cheese sauce made from cheddar and mozzarella, perfectly coating protein-enriched pasta. Together, these ingredients form a one-pot, high-protein, family-friendly dish that is easy to make, customizable, and full of flavor. Optional garnishes like fresh cilantro or red chili flakes add color, freshness, and a subtle kick, making this butter chicken mac and cheese recipe perfect for weeknights or special occasions.

🛒 Ingredients (serves 4–6):

For the Butter Chicken:

1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ginger, minced
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
1 cup tomato puree
½ cup Greek yogurt or light cream
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Mac and Cheese:

8 oz (225 g) elbow macaroni or protein-enriched pasta
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Garnish:

Fresh cilantro, chopped
Red chili flakes

How to Make This Recipe

Creating this simple protein butter chicken with mac and cheese is easier than it sounds, and the result is a rich, creamy, high-protein dinner that everyone will love. The recipe combines tender, flavorful chicken cooked in a buttery tomato and spice sauce with cheesy, protein-enriched pasta for a satisfying one-pot meal. Using simple ingredients like chicken, spices, Greek yogurt, and cheddar cheese ensures that the dish is not only comforting but also packed with protein. Whether you choose to make this butter chicken mac and cheese on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, the process is quick, easy, and customizable to suit your family’s tastes. Each step layers flavor, from sautéing garlic, onion, and spices to combining creamy cheese sauce with perfectly cooked pasta, making this high-protein butter chicken mac and cheese a go-to recipe for busy weeknights or special occasions.

🛒 Steps:

Step 1: Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.

Step 3: Add garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and optional chili powder. Stir for 1–2 minutes to release the spices’ aroma.

Step 4: Stir in tomato puree and simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 5: Add diced chicken and cook until tender, about 8–10 minutes.

Step 6: Reduce heat and stir in Greek yogurt or light cream. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 7: In a separate pan, melt butter, whisk in flour, and gradually add milk to create a smooth, creamy cheese sauce.

Step 8: Add shredded cheddar and mozzarella to the sauce until fully melted.

Step 9: Combine cooked pasta with cheese sauce, then fold in the butter chicken. Let sit 2–3 minutes for flavors to meld.

Step 10: Garnish with fresh cilantro or red chili flakes and serve hot.

Expert Cooking Tips

Making the perfect simple protein butter chicken with mac and cheese is all about balancing flavors, textures, and cooking times. Using tender chicken and protein-enriched pasta ensures that each bite is satisfying and high in protein. Properly layering spices like garam masala, cumin, and turmeric intensifies the authentic butter chicken flavor, while creamy cheeses like cheddar and mozzarella coat the pasta for a rich, comforting texture. Whether you’re making this butter chicken mac and cheese on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, these expert tips help you create a family-friendly, customizable, and flavor-packed one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. Small adjustments, like adding Greek yogurt at the end or garnishing with fresh cilantro, elevate this high-protein butter chicken mac and cheese to a restaurant-quality dish you’ll want to make again and again.

💡 Expert Tips:

• Use chicken breast or thigh for tender, high-protein butter chicken.
• Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger first to intensify the spice flavors.
• For extra creamy mac and cheese, use a combination of cheddar and mozzarella.
• Cook pasta slightly al dente before mixing with cheese sauce to avoid mushy mac and cheese.
• Slow cooker butter chicken mac and cheese works well for hands-off cooking.
• Stir in Greek yogurt at the end for a creamy, protein-rich sauce.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro or red chili flakes for added flavor and visual appeal.
• Customize spice levels to your family’s taste for a crowd-pleasing dish.

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This simple protein butter chicken with mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food with a high-protein twist. Combining tender, flavorful butter chicken with creamy, cheesy pasta, it creates a one-pot meal that is quick, easy, and family-friendly. Whether you make it on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or customize it with honey garlic or stealth health variations, this butter chicken mac and cheese recipe delivers rich flavor, balanced nutrition, and effortless satisfaction—perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Simple Protein Butter Chicken With Mac and Cheese

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: ~40–45 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

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Description

A creamy, cheesy mac and cheese infused with rich butter chicken flavors and high-protein chicken. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a meal-prep favorite, this recipe combines classic comfort food with a protein boost. Can be made on the stovetop or in a slow cooker for extra convenience.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (serves 4–6):

For the Butter Chicken:

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced

• 1 teaspoon garam masala

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon turmeric

• ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)

• 1 cup tomato puree

• ½ cup Greek yogurt or light cream

• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Mac and Cheese:

• 8 oz (225 g) elbow macaroni or protein-enriched pasta

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ cups milk

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Garnish:

• Fresh cilantro, chopped

• Red chili flakes

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Boil macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Make Butter Chicken
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant. Add spices (garam masala, cumin, turmeric, chili) and cook 1–2 minutes. Stir in tomato puree and simmer 5 minutes. Add chicken and cook until done, about 8–10 minutes. Stir in Greek yogurt or cream. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Prepare Cheese Sauce
In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Add cheddar and mozzarella, stirring until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Combine
Mix cooked pasta with cheese sauce. Gently fold in butter chicken. Top with extra cheese if desired and let sit 2–3 minutes to meld flavors.

Step 5: Serve
Garnish with cilantro or chili flakes and serve hot.

Notes

• Slow Cooker Option: Combine all butter chicken ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low 4–6 hours before folding into cooked pasta and cheese sauce.

• Protein Boost: Use protein-enriched pasta or add extra chicken.

• Make Ahead: Cheese sauce and chicken can be made a day in advance; assemble and bake or heat before serving.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Stovetop / Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: Indian-American Fusion